I started this weeks column last Sunday. Did a little searching on the Internet for news – both racing and non racing. So far, non racing has more, as one can expect. Now, it’s Monday, and my ambition is zilch. Must be the “Winter time blues”?

Second:

The wife has an appointment on Tuesday with her oncologist. More than likely a wasted visit, as far as we’re concerned. A lot depends on whether she still has some remnants of diarrhea, which, as of Monday, seem to have subsided. Me – not much sleep on Saturday night, but had a pretty restful night on Sunday night. Both of us are much better – well as of Monday.

And, due to the ongoing deal with the wife and her diarrhea, we had to cancel her appointment for Tuesday. Now it will be next Monday – same day she has blood work done for the IV Chemo on Tuesday, the 29th.

Me – I had an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday to discuss the stent in my aorta and also the blockage that is in my left side carotid artery. Blockage seems to be worse than I thought, with him telling me it’s 80 – 95%. Right now, it isn’t a real “emergency” situation, but could be. I have another appointment with him on May 8th, and at that time we’ll set up a date for the surgery – unless I decide to get it done earlier – on my own or if I develop some kind of symptoms. Of course he told me it would just involve an “overnight” hospital stay. I reminded him he told me the same thing when that stent was put in, and it ended up a 5 day stay.

Also, I can’t have an MRI and he did say if I should have a CAT Scan, there would be no dye used¸ since the dye and my kidneys are not too compatible with each other.

Third:

Word is that Brett Hearn was voted as the best driver for this area over the last 50 years, per the AARN. I requested that I have the digital AARN, but with the AARN tied up with indoor racing and the Motor Sports show this past weekend, I have yet to get it. Once I get it, it should be a breeze getting news from the paper into my columns.

Fourth:

I’ve been in contact with a gentleman named Jeff Lambert who will be starting a weekly “results” from OCFS on the Dirt Track Digest, starting with the first race of 2013. Best of luck to him! I always enjoyed doing race reports when I did them for the Dirt Oval at OVRP. It sure helps when the track gives you the information, that’s for sure! Also, being planned are some possible driver interviews.

Fifth:

Rumors – some end up being true, some don’t. Two that I’ve heard over this past week are that the new pit area for OCFS might not be done in time for opening night. The second one was that Steve Pados would not be the track announcer at Accord this coming season. Anyone else hear the same?

Note: See Eleventh, below.

Sixth:

Did you know that the first road race win for Mario Andretti was at Lime Rock and was in a midget? It was also the very first professional race for Mark Donohue.

From the Internet:

The Lime Rock Formula Libre (‘run what you brung’) Race was a landmark event. There is an account & photos of the event at coldplugs.com

Asking…$850,000 Prior to a real estate agent there is room for negotiating….After listing with an agent its firm

Note: Some photos were sent to me. If you’d like to see photos of the house and property, you can e-mail me and I’ll gladly send them to you.

Please call 203-262-8010 or, e-mail me at: ygordad@yahoo.com

Tenth:

Brian Caruso – grandson of legendary race car owner Mike Caruso, has, in a way, done me some favors. He has posted links to some of my photo articles and also a link to the New England Tractor – Race Report website.

Eleventh:

Dunno, but that rumor on Steve Pados not being the announcer at Accord – Steve is usually the one that does the PR for the track. I found this, on the Accord Speedway’s website. Notice the author. Also some rule changes, too.

Getting Ready for Another Exciting Season of Racing

By FRANK CATIZONE

ACCORD, NY – The curtain will open on another exciting season of racing at the Accord Speedway on Friday, April 12 when a full program of drivers will get ready to tackle the fast, quarter-mile banked Ulster County bull ring.

Accord, under the promotion of track owners Gary and Donna Palmer for 13 years, will run continuously every Friday evening through September. The powerful Modifieds, Sportsman, Spec Sportsman, Pro Stock and Pure Stock divisions will make up each weekly racing card. The Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four-Cylinder classes will run on alternating weeks.

The 2013 season-opener, under the sponsorship of Williams Lumber, will once again be highlighted by the Modified division, which will compete in qualifying races and the annual Scott Harvey Memorial 30-lap main event. The hots laps start at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7.

Andy Bachetti, who won this race last season, reeled off seven straight victories to start the 2012 campaign en route to capturing the track championship. Bachetti went on to win 11 times and will be honored along with the rest of the divisional titlists at Accord’s annual awards banquet on March 23 at the Hillside Manor inKingston. Tickets are priced at $45 for adults and $40 for children.

Danny Creeden, who battled Bachetti for the track crown throughout the 2012 campaign, scored three wins a year ago and Danny Tyler won twice. Jeff Heotzler Sr. claimed the only other win during the regular season for the Modifieds, who will be sponsored once again by All American Ford.

The Modifieds will have the option of competing with sail panels in 2013 and all divisions will be going back to a handicapping system for their starting positions. Last year, drivers drew for their starting spots for the heat events when entering the pits.

The track sponsors for the upcoming season will once again be American Racer Tires and Lucas Oil. They will be joined for the first time in 2013 by Sunoco Fuel. All feature winners will be presented their trophies in the Lucas Oil Winner’s Circle.

All divisions will have an opportunity to test out their equipment a week before the season opener when Accord hosts a practice session on April 5. There will also be a safety inspection conducted and the rain date is April 6.

Some other highlights on the 2013 racing calendar include a fireworks extravaganza and chicken barbecue on June 28, A Christmas in July sponsored by Ruge’s on July 26, and Camera and Autograph Night sponsored by Royal King Cleaners on August 2.

The annual King of the Catskills Weekend, sponsored by WSL Construction, is slated for Sept. 20-21 with the rain date on Sept. 27-28. The Wreckage in the Catskills program is scheduled for Oct. 12. The event is highlighted by a $2,000-to-win Four Cylinder Enduro sponsored by Liggan Insurance.

AccordSpeedway’s Mid-Week Madness schedule will begin on June 5 and will run each Wednesday night until Aug. 28. A new rookie Spec Sportsman division has been added to the program in 2013 along with the regular slate of Karts, Quads, Slingshots and Four-Cylinders.

Along with the development of the Gen-6 race car has been the development of the inspection process. The newest development now in place is the use of a laser device which measures “40 different positions”. The device, while similar to a process used in the Formula One series, is massive steps ahead. “There is no other system like this used in any other form of racing,” exclaimed John Darby, Managing Director of Competition and the Director of Sprint Cup Series. The race teams have known of the impending inspection change for close to six months. The media, and those who will visit the garage area during the races are getting a first look.(see more and a video of the inspection process at RPM2Night)(1-18-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #30-David Stremme / Swan Racing:

Many changes for this team. The team was sold to Brandon Davis who formed Swan Racing. The purchase of Inception Motorsports occurred in October 2012. David Stremme will be the primary driver of the #30 Swan EnergyToyota. Michael Waltrip will drive the car in the Daytona 500. Stremme opted out of the road courses in 2012 but attempted to run all the oval tracks. The team made some big moves, hiring competition director Steve Hmiel and Tony Eury Jr. as the crew chief. The team also has an engine package with Triad Racing Technologies. Swan Energy will be the primary sponsor on the #30Toyotawith the team talking to additional sponsors. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-18-2013)

Cassill leaves BK Racing UPDATE Reutimann in:

Landon Cassill issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon, “This is a tough decision but with one month before the Daytona 500 I have no other option but to leave the #83 BK RacingToyotaand pursue other opportunities. We simply could not close out our 2012 agreement and complete an agreement for 2013. I am motivated and driven to find a new opportunity in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I have proven myself as a championship caliber test driver, an exceptional qualifier, and I’d like to continue working towards my goal of becoming a race winner and champion in NASCAR. I would like to thank my BK Racing team and especially Burger King and Dr. Pepper for the opportunity to represent such iconic brands. I’m looking forward to my next opportunity in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”(Spire Sports + Entertainment), look for David Reutimann to drive the #83 Toyota in 2013 and Travis Kvapil has tweeted that he will return to the #93 Toyota. There had been rumors that BK Racing would take over the number 23 for one of its two cars in 2013 as R3 Motorsports, who ran the #23 in 2012, doesn’t plan to field a Sprint Cup team in 2013.(1-16-2013)

UPDATE:

David Reutimann will drive the #83Toyotafor BK Racing full time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2013. The ownership group at BK Racing has confirmed that Landon Cassill has left the organization. “We wish Landon all the best,” said team owner Ron Devine. “We have no comment on his departure. Our plans are really no different than last year except Landon has decided to move on.” Pat Tryson, who worked with Reutimann at Michael Waltrip Racing, is expected to oversee the #83 team [no word what is up with crew chief Doug Richert]. Travis Kvapil will continue in the organization’s #93 Dr. PepperToyota. Crew chief Todd Anderson remains in the crew chief role with him.(FoxSports)(1-18-2013)

Earnhardt grandson to run ARCA Trucks:

Bobby Dale Earnhardt, grandson of legendary NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, has announced plans to race full-time in the ARCA Truck Series in 2013. Bobby Dale Earnhardt moved to WV in March 2012 and teamed up with Wilson Motorsports and has created a three year plan to get to NASCAR. Bobby Dale Earnhardt is the son of Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt’s son.(bobbydaleearnhardt.com)(1-18-2013)

NASCAR considering European races:

NASCAR has revealed that it would consider hosting exhibition races inEuropeto boost the profile of stock-car racing in the region. European racing is dominated by single-seaters such as Formula One, as well as touring cars, while some of the most popular stock-car series there take place on dirt tracks. George Silbermann, NASCAR’s vice president of regional and touring series, says that the purpose of hosting races inEuropewould be to build up interest in the market. “NASCAR would consider future exhibition race opportunities in Europe as part of a broader strategy of promoting stock-car racing in a region and supporting existing efforts like our Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series, which is about to embark on its second season,” Silbermann told Autoweek. NASCAR’s involvement with Euro Racecar explains its desire to rev-up European interest in stock-car racing.(more at AutoWeek)(1-18-2013)

Tommy Baldwin Racing changes car number:

Tommy Baldwin Racing is paying homage to its heritage with the announcement that Dave Blaney will drive the #7 Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting at the season-opening Daytona 500. The number is a tribute to team owner Tommy Baldwin Jr.’s late father, Tom Baldwin Sr., who was a beloved NASCAR Modified driver, and sported the number 7NY throughout his career. Working on his father’s cars is howBaldwingot his start in racing, and ultimately led him into NASCAR’s elite series. “It is a very special moment today to announce the number 7 on our Chevrolet SS. The number has been in theBaldwinfamily for a long time and it is going to be pretty special to carry on that legacy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.” Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the NSCS in 2013 with NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney driving the #7 Chevy SS.(140 Buzz / TBR PR), supposedly TBR wants to field two Cup teams in 2013, so it could also use the #36 for the 2nd team.(1-17-2013)

Allmendinger has four race deal with #51 team:

AJ Allmendinger has an opportunity to initially run four NASCAR Sprint Cup races for #51PhoenixRacing as its driver roster starts to take shape. While Regan Smith will kick off the season in the #51 Guy Roofing Chevy at Daytona, Allmendinger has been offered the chance to drive [early season races] at Phoenix, Bristol, Auto Club and Martinsville. TAG Heuer will sponsor Austin Dillon in the car atLas Vegas. Both parties have agreed to keep their options open should an opportunity arise. Right now, they are working on a race-to-race basis.(FoxSports)(1-18-2013)

Charlotte Motor Speedway testing is over:

After getting rained out on Thursday, then an almost four hour delay, due to a wet track/ice melting on Friday, the Sprint Cup Series finally got some testing done at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The test ran from 12:45 – 7:30pm/et. 33 cars ran laps.

#43-Almirola was the fastest at 194.021mph [faster then the track record] then #99-Edwards, #13-Mears, #9-Ambrose, #48-Johnson, #55-Martin, #16-Biffle, #56-Truex Jr., #15-Bowyer & #17-Stenhouse Jr. #11-McDowell (subbing for Hamlin) ran the most laps with 204, followed by #18-Busch (156) and #22-Logano (139). #95-Speed was the slowest of the 33 drivers/cars at 186.968 and ran the least amount of laps at 41.

AND More than 2,000 fans braved the chilly January temperatures to watch more than 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers take to the track in the rain-shortened sixth-generation car test at Charlotte Motor Speedway. At the end of the day, Richard Petty Motorsports’ driver Aric Almirola turned the fastest lap of 27.832 seconds at 194.021 mph. Carl Edwards (27.882 seconds at 193.673 mph) and Casey Mears (27.924 seconds at 193.382 mph) clocked the second and third fastest laps respectively, with Marcos Ambrose (27.938 seconds at 193.285 mph) and Jimmie Johnson (28.009 seconds at 192.795 mph) rounding out the top five. During a morning delay, Roush Fenway Racing driver Greg Biffle told media the time on the track was important to provide teams invaluable information about the new cars. “We’ve tested a few times with a composite body and not all of the latest rules, but this is really it for us,” he said. “We needed these two days to really figure out what the car is gonna end up like. Hopefully, we can test into the evening and it won’t get too cold too fast because I’d rather stay as long as we can and get as much information as we can, versus having to pack this whole show up and go somewhere else again, or come back later.”(CMS)

Qualifying for 2013 Sprint Cup Series at Pocono moved to Friday:

Pocono Raceway announced changes to their two 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race weekends. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Pocono 400 and thePennsylvania400 will occur on Friday, June 7th, and Friday, August 2nd, respectively. Additionally, the Pennsylvania 125 ARCA Racing Series moves from a traditional Saturday race event to Friday, August 2nd.

“We are excited with the changes to the 2013 race weekend schedules,” said Pocono Raceway’s President and CEO, Brandon Igdalsky. “Our fans were outspoken regarding the return of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying back to its traditional Friday slot. Additionally, our jam-packed August Pennsylvania 400 race weekend will now include three straight days of races with the ARCA Racing Series race moving to Friday; the Pocono Mountains 125, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and two Sprint Cup practice sessions on Saturday and thePennsylvania400 on Sunday. The changes, done in cooperation with NASCAR and the ARCA Racing Series, should be a great benefit for race fans attending our Raceway this summer.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying at Pocono Raceway was held on Saturdays the last two season, marking the first time since 2010 where qualifying will occur on Fridays. Tickets are still available for both the June 7-9 Pocono 400 and August 2-4Pennsylvania400 race weekends. Friday and Saturday event tickets start at $10 and $20, respectively, for both these weekends, with children ages 12 and under being admitted free (with accompanying adult holding a Grandstand ticket). Pocono 400 andPennsylvania400 tickets start at $45 and all Concourse-level section tickets are half-priced for children ages 12 and under. To purchase tickets, visit www.poconoraceway.com or call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).(Pocono Raceway)(1-18-2013)

Dodge not expected back soon:

Don’t look for NASCAR to add a new manufacturer anytime soon. Vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said during Friday’s “Gen 6″ test at Charlotte Motor Speedway that he doesn’t anticipate another manufacturer joining Ford, Chevrolet andToyotain the “foreseeable future … the next year or two.” Dodge pulled out of the sport after winning the championship last season with Brad Keselowski and Penske Racing, which moved to Ford in 2013. There has been speculation that Dodge might return in 2014, possibly with a premier team such as Richard Childress Racing that has fallen to third among organizations in the Chevrolet fleet. Pemberton said the governing body periodically gets “cold calls” from potential manufacturers, but none that appear ready to join the sport in the next few years.(ESPN)(1-20-2013)

NMPA Hall Induction Tonight:

The National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame will gain three new members Saturday night in an induction ceremony inCharlotte,N.C.Veteran broadcaster Ken Squier, the late track owner Joe Mattioli and the late NASCAR official Jim Hunter will be inducted into the NMPA Hall, which is located at Darlington Raceway. Squier, Mattioli and Hunter were elected to the hall last year by members of the NMPA, an organization of writers, broadcasters and photographers.(SPEED)(1-19-2013)

Bill Simpson tackles football concussions with new helmet:

Bill Simpson, the formerCaliforniadrag racer,Indianapolis500 driver and motorsports safety innovator has created a football helmet that he and others believe could revolutionize the sport. Simpson knows this because he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to making safer helmets. Researchers believe it because they have seen data charts. “Most helmets succeed at distributing force over a large area, but [Simpon’s helmets] actually absorb the energy and dissipate the force more effectively,” said Eric Nauman, an associate professor of mechanical engineering atPurdueUniversity. “The results are impressive.”(full story, lots of quptes and more at Autoweek)(1-19-2013)

Stewart Haas Racing Notes from the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour:

#10-Danica Patrick will not be using #14-Tony Stewart’s owners points to start the year. Stewart said, “I worked hard for my points” and believes Patrick will be fine. The #10 team finished the 2012 season 33rd in owners points but been told those owners points will be used for Tommy Baldwin’s #7 team with driver Dave Blaney. Baldwin will use the #36 owners points for his 2nd team, car #36 [unknwon driver/plans]. So the #10 car goes into the season with no owners points and Partick will have to make the races via speed. There is no top-35 or guaranteed spots in 2013, but owners points will used for 6 cars each race for provisional starting spots 37th thru 42nd and poosibly the 43rd spot.
Patrick has not finalized a deal to run any Nationwide Series races in 2013 but is hoping to do a 10 race deal with Turner Scott Motorsports.
As for Stewart running the 2013 Indy 500 for Penske Racing, he has open invitation for Indy 500 from Roger Penske, but has no plans to do so in 2013.
On the sponsor front for SHR the #14 has nine races open without a primary, the #39 of Ryan Newman has 8-9 races open for a primary sponsor and #10-Patrick has three racesopen for a primary sponsor.
Stewart said the Eldora Speedway Truck Race that will run on the dirt, is close to a sellout, with 16,000 reserved seats sold and about 600 left with 1000 general admission going on sale this week.(1-21-2013)

#88 unsponsored for 13 races:

NASCAR’s most popular driver will enter the 2013 season with 13 unsponsored races. But team owner Rick Hendrick doesn’t seem concerned that Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 has open inventory. Hendrick said there has been plenty of interest from sponsors and that he is more concerned with finding a match that will work beyond 2013. “We’ve got a lot of good opportunities,” Hendrick said during Wednesday’s stop of the Sprint Media Tour. “The way we’re positioned, the car is covered until the end of the summer. I don’t have a deadline [for a deal]. I’m not looking at a timeline. I’m looking at the right deal.” Hendrick said he was close on two or three deals, but “we haven’t put any line in the sand.” It was announced last year that National Guard would be on Earnhardt’s car for 20 races in 2013. DietMountainDew was contracted for 16 races in 2012 with PepsiCo having the sponsorship rights for 20 races..(ESPN)(1-23-2013)

Hertz to sponsor Logano:

Penske Racing announced that Hertz will sponsor seven Nationwide Series races and a Sprint Cup race with the #22 Ford of Joey Logano. The rental car company also will be an associate sponsor of the team. Hertz CEO Mark Frissora said the deal is for three years. Hertz’s research data showed 20% of NASCAR fans rented a car last year. The audience also is attractive because Hertz is growing its muscle car segment while changing its tagline to emphasize speed of service.(USA Today)
AND:

Penske Racing proudly welcomes The Hertz Corporation as a new partner in 2013 as one of the world’s leading car rental and transportation companies joins forces with one of NASCAR’s top teams. Under a multi-year agreement announced on Wednesday, Hertz will serve as a primary sponsor for select races on Penske Racing cars competing in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series beginning this season. Hertz will be co-primary sponsor on the #22 Ford Fusion driven by Joey Logano in the Sprint Cup Series at the fall race hosted at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Under the new partnership, Hertz will also be an associate sponsor throughout the course of the season for the Penske Racing #22 Cup Series and Nationwide Series teams with branding presence on the team’s uniforms and equipment as well as on the Nationwide Series car (Penske Racing)(1-23-2013)

New track dryers to be unveiled at Daytona:

NASCAR will unveil next month at Daytona International Speedway a new piece of equipment that could revolutionize track drying. Twenty-four machines will be ready for Speedweeks events leading up to the Feb. 24 Daytona 500, executive Steve O’Donnell said. The equipment will rely on compressed air moving water off the track in a squeegee effect as opposed to traditional jet dryers that blow hot air onto the track. It also will include vacuums that will work in conjunction with the compressed air that would help dry a 2.5-mile track such as DIS in about 30 minutes — 20% of the current time. DIS typically takes about 2.5 hours to dry. Last year’s Daytona 500 was delayed until Monday night because of rain. “There’s a few faces out here that will remember when we used to dry tracks off with just a fleet of vehicles going around the racetrack, or dragging tires behind pickup trucks,” NASCAR president Mike Helton said. “And then someone came along with the jet dryer that expedited it quite a bit and served its purpose for a long period of time. “But in today’s world with the expectations of getting the show done and getting it on, there was a high priority placed by [chairman] Brian [France] and the rest of us to come up with a way that we could expedite that. The R & D Center responded to that and come up with ideas, and this one seems to have quite a bit of validity to it.”
O’Donnell said the new device does not have a name yet. Unlike jet dryers, which were owned by individual tracks, he said the governing body has a patent on the new machine that gives it proprietary rights. O’Donnell said the equipment isn’t quite to the level of efficiency that France asked for. Because of that, jet dryers also will be used at Daytona and perhaps ensuing races to help with the drying process. O’Donnell said the equipment could revolutionize the drying procedure for other venues in sports.(ESPN)(1-23-2013)

Bruton Smith Wants End to Start-and-Park:

Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. told media attending the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway that he would like to see an end to start-and-park racing, a term that refers to race teams that run only a few laps of a race in order to collect a portion of the purse, but pull off the track before causing too much wear and tear on their equipment, thereby saving on the expense of running a full race. “Start-and-park should not be a part of what we do,” he said. “I think it’s derogatory toward our sport. I’m going to try my best and I hope you’ll join me to see if NASCAR can do something about this. It certainly isn’t adding anything to our sport, and it certainly takes away.” He then asked media in the room to use their influence to put an end to the practice. Smith’s other appeal was to encourage NASCAR to reduce the top speeds of the race cars, which he argued would make the racing safer but also create more excitement for the fans because the drivers will make moves with more confidence.(CMS Notes)(1-23-2013)

Harvick confirmed out of RCR after 2013:

NASCAR team owner Richard Childress confirmed what driver Kevin Harvick would not since November 2012. Harvick will leave Childress, where he has been since his first Cup race in 2001, and drive for friend and team owner Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. Childress, who spoke Monday night at NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Media Tour, talked about knowing about Harvick’s plans last year before the race at Phoenix International Raceway — a race Harvick would win to snap a 44-race winless streak. “We had a meeting and he told me his plans and we discussed what we were going to do in ’13,” Childress said Monday. “He’ll do well over there at Stewart-Haas, and RCR will keep going and moving forward. I think him and Tony will have a good relationship.” Stewart, who spoke to the media earlier Monday about his three-car team that includes Ryan Newman and Danica Patrick, has hinted at adding a fourth car to the Stewart-Haas Racing stable. Harvick, meanwhile, told reporters he didn’t have “anything to tell you for 2014.” On Monday, Childress said he did not know whether sponsor Budweiser would leave RCR along with Harvick. “They haven’t made any comments on what they’re going to do,” Childress said. Though Childress admitted he knew Harvick’s plans before Phoenix, he said he was surprised when word leaked out because he didn’t expect it to be released until after the postseason awards banquet. As for the future, Childress welcomes grandson Austin Dillon into the fold this season. Dillon is slated to race the Daytona 500, among a handful of other Cup races. Burtonand Menard are signed through 2013.(in part from the USA Today)(1-22-2013)

BK Racing announces driver, crew chief and managerial roles:

BK Racing begins its second season of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing with some changes in different levels of their operation. Harry McMullen will remain in his role as the team’s General Manager, which he’s held since the team started January 2012. Just added to the team is Rick Carpenter, who will be the Assistant General Manager helping McMullen with the day-to-day operations. Carpenter comes from Tri Star Motorsports, most recently, and Rusty Wallace Racing, where he held the position of General Manager at both teams. He also worked at Penske Racing.
As previously announced, Mike Ford is now the team’s Director of Competition. The veteran crew chief, with 21 wins and 17 poles in 453 NSCS starts, is overseeing shop and race-prep activities of BK Racing’s two NSCS entries.
Doug Richert has been promoted from his role as crew chief on the #83 Burger King/Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry. The championship leader with 13 wins to his credit will now serve as a supervisor to the crew chiefs overseeing their efforts at the shop and during race days.
David Reutimann, a two-time race winner will drive the #83 Toyota this season full time. Reutimann drove in two races for the team last year. Pat Tryson, who has eight trips to Victory Lane, is now the team’s crew chief. He came on board towards the end of 2012 to assist on both teams.
Travis Kvapil will remain in the #93 Burger KingToyota Camry with Todd Anderson returning as his crew chief. The 2012 season wasAnderson’s first in that capacity with Kvapil, the 2003 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, who has made 210 NCSC starts.(BK Racing)(1-22-2013)

Busch could stay at Furniture Row after 2013:

#78-Kurt Busch says Furniture Row is a “strong option” for him in 2014. Busch signed with the Denver-based Sprint Cup team late last season, finishing the year with three consecutive top 10s to build momentum for this season. There has been much speculation that the 2004 Cup champion was using the single-car team as a stepping stone to a top-tier organization after this year. Much of that speculation has involved Busch going to Richard Childress Racing, which supplies engines and chassis to Furniture Row. But Busch told ESPN.comduring Day 2 of the Sprint Media Tour that he is happy at Furniture Row, which he already considers a fourth car at RCR. “It’s a strong option,” he said of signing an extension. Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said preliminary discussions already are taking place with Busch. Asked if he thought it was possible a deal could be reached, he said, “Yeah, I do.” Busch said serious negotiations for next season likely wouldn’t start until sometime after April.(ESPN)(1-22-2013)

Pit-crew competition may not be held in 2013:

Sprint shifted its sponsorship of the pit-crew competition during all-star week to the Daytona event to give it sponsorship of both non-points Cup events, the Sprint Unlimited and the Budweiser Duel. The pit-crew competition currently is without sponsorship, and NASCAR has not determined whether it will be held this year. “We are working to continue the event,” NASCAR Senior Vice President Steve O’Donnell said in a statement.(Sporting News)(1-22-2013)

The King & Dale Jr. team up:

Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most popular driver in NASCAR racing today, is joining Goody’s longtime spokesman, Richard “The King” Petty, in a new multi-media campaign that will introduce consumers to the fast-dissolving headache remedy. Beginning in early 2013, the driving duo’s radio, television and digital campaign will tell fans how to be unstoppable with Goody’s. Goody’s Powder will be the title sponsor for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, the October 27 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville. Goody’s also will continue its longstanding tradition of sampling the product at racetracks and, to the delight of fans, bring Earnhardt and Petty together for personal appearances. “This partnership is unprecedented,” said Joseph Juliano, Brand Director, Goody’s. “It is the first time that these two NASCAR legends have worked together. Each of them has a huge fan base, and they are both synonymous with the sport of auto racing. Goody’s is all about speed, and nobody personifies the idea of speed better than Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
“I am really looking forward to working with Dale Jr. on the new campaign for Goody’s, which will introduce the product to a whole new generation,” Petty said. “He is a great driver and a smart businessman, and nobody is more popular with NASCAR fans.”
“Richard Petty is a role model for me and every other driver in NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “I am honored to be working with him and thankful Goody’s brought us together. I signed on with Goody’s in part because of their long-term commitment to NASCAR. They helped start the trend of non-car companies coming into the sport. In my mind, they are synonymous with NASCAR racing. I am also a big fan of their product because it works so fast.”(JR Motorsports)(1-22-2013)

Note: I’m hoping to get the digital version of the AARN by this time next week. If so, I should be able to give up to date info in my columns.

January 15th edition:

There was a ton of racing reports and photos from the Chili Bowl, along with a ton of information on this past weekends Motor Sports Show.

To help Keith Hoffman run Bridgeport Speedway, Danny Serrano has joined up with the Hoffman/Adams team.

So far there are 10 confirmed races scheduled for the RoC Asphalt ModifiedTour, withOswegohaving 3 races.

NASCAR Modifieds and K&N Racers to compete for $20,000.00 prize at Daytona on their “painted” race track that will be on the large expanse of asphalt on the backstretch of the Daytona Speedway. From what I recall, only the stands on the backstretch will be open for spectators for those races.

As you are probably aware, Kevin Swindell won his 4th straight Chili Bowl at the last running of that event a week ago. Question: Over the course of the racing season, any idea as to how many midget races he runs?

I was never a big fan of Rufus “Parnelli” Jones – especially after his oiling the track at Indy, when he was given a win, still the guy had a much better than most racing career. Parnelli is 79 years old – 4 years older than me. He is, believe it or not, the oldest Indy 500 winner that’s still with us.

Along with that Indy 500 win, he also had five other USAC Championship races, and was the first to qualify for the 500 at over 150 MPH (150.370). He won 25 USAC Sprint Car races with three consecutive Sprint Car championships – 1960-1962, 25 USAC Midget races and 13 NASCAR and USAC Stock Car races. He was the 1964 USAC Stock Car champion. He also won in road racing, too, along with the 1970 Trans-Am championship. He won atPikes Peakin 1963& 1964. From 1967 – 1980 he had the “Super Team” in Indy car racing that won 53 USAC National Championship races. Al Unser, Sr., Mario Andretti and Joe Leonard as some of the drivers for the Vels Parnelli Jones racing team.

Glenn Donnelly, Don Diffendorf, George Kent, Bob Devine, Walt Market and Ron Hedger were inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association’s Hall of Fame.

In the 2012 SpeedSTR racing season, a young lad fromCanadaended up with the championship. His name: Maxime Plante. None of the Plante family can speak English. However that didn’t stop the young man from winning $18,000.00 during the 2012 Tobias SpeedSTR Tour.

The historic Atomic Speedway, most recently known as Schrader’s K-C Raceway, is for sale. It never held any races during the 2012 season. It’s located nearChilicothe,Ohio.

Lenny Sammons:

Lenny had a list of who the next “Super Stars” might be – well, as far as NASCAR is concerned, anyway.

Something rather interesting in Ernie’s column – in the three major series in NASCAR – Cup, Nationwide and Trucks, it is mandatory that the tracks have soft walls, safety barriers in place along with other safety items. So, do you think that the Eldora Speedway, with Tony Stewart being the track owner, can hold a race with out the above items? Sure can. What if Tony was not the owner?

HEARN NAMED ‘GREATEST DRIVER OF AREA AUTO RACING NEWS’ FIRST 50 YEARS’ AT MOTORSPORTS 2013 SHOW, WALTRIP WOWS FANS Show continues on Saturday and Sunday at Expo Center

OAKS, PA (January 18, 2013) – The twenty-eighth edition of the Motorsports Race Car and Trade Show’s opening night saw Brett Hearn named as the ‘Greatest Driver Of Area Auto Racing News’ First 50 Years’. The unprecedented and prestigious honor was witnessed by one of the largest Friday night crowds in the history of the Len Sammons Motorsports Productions event. “I am grateful to the fans, the motorsports media, and to Area Auto Racing News for this amazing honor,” said Hearn, 56, of Sussex, N.J., winner of over 800 feature races and 40 track or circuit championships in his career that began in 1975 and has never waned.
NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner and two time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip answered questions from attendees and signed autographs for his fans Friday night. “Coming to Motorsports is a great time for me. This region has some of the most knowledgeable race fans in the country and it was a pleasure to meet so many of them face to face,” Waltrip said. Hearn’s selection was the culmination of a year long process involving members of the media and race fans alike. The top fifty drivers were first named from over 350 nominees; the top ten were identified in mid-October and a separate vote was then conducted. Hearn was the winner over the late Richie Evans, Billy Pauch, Frankie Schneider, Kenny Brightbill, Fred Rahmer , the late Dick Tobias, Jimmy Horton, Jimmy Horton, Will Cagle and Danny Johnson. Evans and Tobias were represented by their widows, Lynn Evans and Mary Tobias. Frankie Schneider, who had planned on attending , was unable to do so at the last minute for health reasons and was represented by his daughter Diane. “This competition was one of the all-time highlights in Area Auto Racing News’ history,” said AARN publisher Len Sammons. “Each of these great champions are deserving of being named number one.”
The Motorsports 2013, Fueled by Sunoco, Distributed by Insinger Performance Race Car and Trade Show continues Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, 1963 Indianapolis 500 champion Parnelli Jones will meet and greet fans and sign copies of his new book ‘As A Matter Of Fact, I Am Parnelli Jones’. Fast rising NASCAR Nationwide Rookie Of The Year Austin Dilllon and his brother, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie Of The Year Ty Dillon will answer fans’ questions in a one-on-one round table discussion, and the top winning drivers throughout the Northeast in 2012 – Stewart Friesen, Pat Cannon, Greg Hodnett, Jimmy Zacharias, John Waters, Wayne Helliwell Jr., and Jessica Miller – will be honored in a special ceremony followed by a group autograph session. The Saturday highlight of the Motorsports 2013 Show is the crowning of the 2013 BPG Racing Ms. Motorports; the pageant begins at 8:00 PM. On Sunday, ‘Metal Fab Family Fun Day’, the Little Ms. Motorsports competition and the Kids Big Wheel Races, annual Motorsports Show traditions, close out the three days of motorsports excitement.
Release written by Steve Barrick

Super DIRTcar Series 2012 Season Standout Fueled by Momentum Heading into 2013

BARBERVILLE,Fla.- After a tremendous 2012 season, Super DIRTcar Series driver Brett Hearn is ready to charge into 2013, hoping to add the Volusia gator to his well-stocked trophy case.

“I feel a lot of confidence,” Hearn said. “I think that we have all intentions of just rolling with the momentum we had at the end of last year.”

Although Hearn claimed some of the crown jewels of the Super DIRTcar Series last year – Mr. DIRT Track USA at Lebanon Valley Speedway, the VP Small Engine Fuels 200 during NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week, and Eastern States 200 at the Orange County Fair Speedway to name a few – “the Jet” was unable to find victory during last year’s UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park.

“It was one of the weakest trips we had last year, maybe one of the worst trips we had ever, and I want to improve on that and get a good start to the season,” Hearn said, who, of Volusia’s four Big-Block Modified features, finished in the top ten only twice.

His odds of scoring a win at Volusia are looking up, with momentum from last year and that same crew supporting him that helped him gain momentum with so many victories in 2012.

“We’ve been consistent – there have been no team changes. Everything is pretty much status quo, so we should be in pretty good shape,” Hearn said.

The team may be the same, but they have new tricks ready for theFloridaopener. Like many Super DIRTcar Series teams trekking toFloridafor UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment, the crew behind the Hearn’s 20 is taking some time during their off-season to experiment with the car’s setup.

“We’ve got some fresh ideas to start the new season off. We’ve always got new things we want to try,” Hearn said. “With points not being up for grabs, it gives us a lot of latitude to mess around a little bit.”

In addition to seeing a great season on the track, Hearn’s victories continued in the offseason. He was recognized by the Eastern Motorsports Press Association with the 2012 Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year Award and by Area Auto Racing News as the best driver in its 50 years of publication. Nonetheless, Hearn is eager to get back behind the wheel.

“I’m anxious. It feels like we just leftCharlotte, but we’re ready to go,” Hearn said.

The 42nd Annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment runs from Tuesday, Feb. 12, through Saturday, Feb. 23, atVolusiaSpeedwayPark. For their first night at Volusia, the Big-Block Modifieds of the Super DIRTcar Series share the stage with theUMPLateModelsSwampKing Championship Wednesday, Feb. 20. The next three nights, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21 through Feb. 23, the Super DIRTcar Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series light up the track for back-to-back double-headers.

For tickets and more information about UNOH DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment, visit the event website atwww.dirtcarnationals.com. Follow the Super DIRTcar Series on Twitter, @SuperDIRTcar, for updates and links to live race notes come race night.

On February 2nd, the eyes of the world will be fixed on Gobbler’s Knob as we wait to see if PA’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will see his shadow. Will there be six more weeks of winter or can we expect an early spring?

In honor of Groundhog Day, Pocono Raceway is offering a 12%discount(based off the number of letters in Punxsutawney) on Sunday Terrace Platinum, Terrace Vista and Terrace seats for this year’s Pocono 400 & Pennsylvania 400! PLUS, based on Phil’s prognostication, you could receive a FREE Pre-Race Pit/Paddock Pass!

To purchase tickets and become eligible to receive a free Pre-Race Pit/Paddock Pass, click here and enter promocode: PHIL.

If Phil does not see his shadow, this means there will be early Spring and Pocono Raceway will provide everyone who purchases a ticket through this promotion with one FREE Pit/Paddock Pass, per transaction.

You only have until 5:00pm on February 1st to be eligible for this exclusive offer.

And I got a kick out of this e-mail I received late Wednesday afternoon:

“Kim Jung Un had NO military experience whatsoever before Daddy made him a four-star general. This snot-nosed twerp had never accomplished anything in his life that would come close to military leadership. He hadn’t so much as led a Cub Scout troop, coached a sports team, or commanded a military platoon. Ironically, he is made the “Beloved Leader” of communistNorth Korea.

Oh s***! I just remembered that we did the same thing. We took an arrogant, narcissistic community organizer, who had never worn a uniform, and made him Commander-in-Chief. A guy, who had never had a real job, worked on a budget, or led anything more than a corrupt ACORN demonstration, and we made him President of the United States – – – – TWICE !!!

Please Keep Frankie Schneider In Your Thoughts &- Prayers.
He has been hospitalized at The Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center
in New Jersey.
With A Serious and Rare Blood Disorder.

PRAYERS for FRANKIE ” The Old Master “

A million people attended Obama’s inauguration, and only 14 missed work.

Help me understand the logic of this:

Watching two hours of violence in a movie has no influence in our behavior, BUT a 30 second Super Bowl ad is worth $3.8 million because it will make us run out and buy a product?

Our current state andUSleader seem hell bent on taking from the working person and giving to those who want to sit on their azz if they want our rights and our money maybe we should all quit working and go on government programs

We work to help ourselves, family and those in need or have helped the country. I’m good with that. But, today it’s a different world. We have millions who are not suppose to be here and get subsidized help our own citizens don’t receive. We have a record number of moochers taking from the system that goes undetected/checked.

Rather than just stuff a bill (tax) to the middle class and claim it’s for the rich, spend a little time managing where this money will go and then I’ll be more than happy to hand you my hard earned money.

Please be careful: Some hackers have found something new. They take your profile picture and your name and create a new FB account. Then they ask your friends to add them. Your friends think it is you so they accept. From that moment on, they can say and post whatever they want under your name.
Please don’t accept a second friendship request from me. I have only one account.
Copy this on your wall to keep others informed

Jeff Foxworthy
on Upstate New York

If
you consider it a sport to gather your food by
drilling through 36 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by,
you might live in Upstate New York..

If
you’re proud that your region makes the national
news 96 nights a year because Saranac Lake is
the coldest spot in the nation, and Syracuse
gets more snow than any other major city in the
US, you might live in Upstate, NY.

If
your local Dairy Queen is closed from October
through May, you might live in Upstate New York.

If you get 131 inches of snow in a
week and you comment that ‘winter’s finally
here’, you might live near Oswego in Upstate New
York.

If
you instinctively walk like a penguin for six
months out of the year, you might live, bundled
up, in Upstate New York.

If someone in a
Home Depot store offers you assistance, and they
don’t work there, you might live in Upstate NY.

If
you have worn shorts and a parka on the same
day, you might live in Upstate New York..

If
you have had a lengthy phone conversation with
someone who dialed a wrong number, you might
live in Upstate New York.

YOU
KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE UPSTATE NEW YORKER WHEN:

“Vacation”
means going South past Syracuse for the weekend.

You
measure distance in hours.

You know
several people who have hit a deer more than
once.

You often switch from “heat” to
“A/C” in the same day and back again.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of
snow during a raging blizzard, without
flinching.

You install security lights
on your house and garage and leave both
unlocked.

You carry jumper cables in
your car and your girlfriend/wife knows how to
use them.

You design your kid’s
Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

Driving is better in the winter because
the potholes are filled with snow.

You
know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still
winter, and road construction.

You can
identify a southern or eastern accent.

Down South to you means Corning.

Your neighbor throws a party to
celebrate his new shed.

You go out for a
fish fry every Friday.

Your 4th of July
picnic was moved indoors due to
frost.

You have more miles on your snow
blower than your car.

You find 10 degrees
“a little chilly.” and 55 is shorts
weather.

You actually understand these
jokes, and you forward them to all your Upstate
New York friends and to those who used to live
here and left. — (chickens).

This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish. And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.

Can a good Muslim be a good American?

This question was forwarded to a friend who worked inSaudi Arabiafor 20 years. The following is his reply:

Theologically – no. Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god ofArabia.

Religiously – no. Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran,2:256)(Koran)

Scripturally – no. Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Geographically – no. Because his allegiance is toMecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially – no. Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Politically – no. Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation ofIsraeland destruction ofAmerica, the great Satan.

Domestically – no. Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34 )

Intellectually – no. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Philosophically – no. Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

Spiritually – no. Because when we declare ‘one nation under God,’ The Christian’s God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent names.

Therefore, after much study and deliberation… Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. They obviously cannot be both ‘good’ Muslims and ‘good’ Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

The religious war is bigger than we know or understand!

Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within. SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THEU.S.

Obama Called On ABC The Most During First Term Conferences; Fox News Comes In Ninth

One part:

“In 2010, President Obama said that Fox News had a point of view which was “ultimately destructive” for America. So the findings of a new study about Obama’s press conferences are not too surprising.”

Did Beyonce Lip-Synch At The Inauguration?

Note: I did not see it except on re-runs. Even she had to screw it up by going octaves higher on the word “Free” – and it was not written that way. She also had to “extend” the ending, too. Why must these so called “singers” do that, anyway?

InBenghazihearing,Clintonchokes up, angrily rejects GOP jabs

Note: Again, I only saw re-runs. I have to admit, I was extremely disappointed in that most everyone had to congratulate her on her “fine” service to our country, and after that, had no time left to question her onBenghazi. They really missed the boat there, folks.

62% Want Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants

Note Personally, I’m pretty sure that a higher percentage of my Facebook friends would go the opposite way. I wonder just who it was they questioned on this? Some great comments can be found if you scroll down some in the article.

Video time:

Over these next few weeks I’ll be putting in some links to videos of some of the worlds best drivers. This week it is Sir Jack Brabham. This video isn’t quite as long as last weeks.

Going back in time to OCFS in a photo taken by D. Ludwig. With the proposed pit area being moved to outside turns 3 & 4, we’ll probably never see the pit area like this, again. Sadly, except for maybe an Eastern States Weekend with weather in the 70’s, will we ever see the Drive-In section as full, again. From what can be seen in this photo, it is during the summer time – yes back in the day, if you didn’t get to OCFS early, you were out of luck as far as getting a good seat!

For you old timers – how many cars can you ID?

Closing with this:

Subject: A ReadingFrom Genesis!

A Reading from Genesis: And God promised men that good and obedient
wives would be found in all corners of the earth. Then He made the
earth round …

This Week in Racing

Feature Column

By JEREMY ELLIOTT (Patriot News) No matter how big the media outlet – ESPN, USA Today or CNN – it can’t take away the one common characteristic of a Sprint Car fan: passion. If anything, it enhances it. When the sport is put in a bad light on a national stage, the numbers on the cars or men in the seat no longer matter. This clan rallies around the sport as a whole and flips the middle finger to the rest of the world. That’s one of many things that makes Sprint Car racing great. But it’s also one of…More

"

Super DIRTcar Series

INDIANAPOLIS – Dec. 11, 2014 – The Super DIRTcar Series announced today at the Performance Racing Industry tradeshow a combination of traditional events and races at new venues will make up its 2015 schedule. The 29-race series kicks off during the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment Feb. 18-21 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. The series championship begins April 25 with a 100-lapper at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway before an exciting Wednesday night return on May 20 to Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway followed on Wednesday, May 27, to Brockville Ontario Speedway. A four-race slate of events in June begins…More

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 13, 2015 – Daryn Pittman took the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season opener Friday night with an epic last lap pass of the reigning series champion Donny Schatz. Just a lap sooner the feature win was in Schatz’s sights as he approached the lapped car of Kraig Kinser. Schatz dove low in turns three and four to make the pass but was not able to make the line stick. As he exited the turn his Bad Boy Buggies car drifted up the track and over the cushion. Pittman saw his opportunity. “When I saw…More

World of Outlaws Late Model Car Series

By JOSHUA JOINER OCALA, Fla. – Feb. 13, 2015 – Turning around his sluggish start to the season, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., topped a late duel with Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., during Friday’s DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned A-Main at Bubba Raceway Park to earn a $5,000 victory during the opening night of the fourth annual Bubba Army Winter Nationals. Lanigan, the three-time and defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion, rallied after losing the lead to Richards on lap 20 of the 30-lapper and retook command when Richards struggled with traffic on lap 26. The 44-year-old Lanigan pulled away…More

Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series

GIBSONTON, FL – “We just missed the set-up in that first race tonight; we had just enough time to make some adjustments for this race. We won that first heat so that put us on the pole. The car was really good. I had a little bit of a push getting into turn two, but otherwise, the car was not a handful like the previous nights. I was hoping maybe Jr. could get up there so we could take first and second.” “I have so many people to thank; Messilla Valley Transportation, Henderson Motorsports, Watters Auto Land, Clements Engines, Longhorn Chassis,…More

DIRTcar 358 and Sportsman Tours

CONCORD, N.C. – Feb. 4, 2015 – DIRTcar 358-Modified racers will have more incentive than ever to race not only their home tracks this season, but also the series in the fall. In addition to the traditional post Labor Day series events, drivers will earn points during the season from the new Super Series Starter (SSS) Events at their weekly tracks. The 2015 358-Modified Series Championship combines Home Track Points, plus “SSS” points, plus points from the Fall Series events to equal the Championship. The weekly track Mr. DIRTcar program similar to last year’s runs from now until Sept. 6…More